-
European Archives of... Nov 2023To estimate the prevalence of tinnitus and hyperacusis in children aged 9-12 years in Flanders, as well as to explore the associations with hearing abilities and...
OBJECTIVES
To estimate the prevalence of tinnitus and hyperacusis in children aged 9-12 years in Flanders, as well as to explore the associations with hearing abilities and listening behaviours.
DESIGN
A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in four different Flemish schools. The questionnaire was distributed among 415 children, with a response rate of 97.3%.
RESULTS
The prevalence of permanent tinnitus was 10.5% and of hyperacusis was 3.3%. The hyperacusis prevalence was higher in girls (p < .05). Some children reported effects of tinnitus in terms of anxiety (20.1%), sleep (36.5%), and concentration (24.8%). When listening to personal listening devices, 33.5% of the children reported to listen for at least 1 h at 60% or higher of the volume range. Moreover, 54.9% of children stated to never wear hearing protection.
CONCLUSIONS
Tinnitus and hyperacusis are prevalent in children aged 9-12 years. Some of these children might be overlooked and, as such, not receiving the required follow-up or counselling. Development of guidelines for the assessment of these auditory symptoms in children would help to determine the prevalence numbers with greater accuracy. Sensibility campaigns for safe listening are warranted, as more than half of the children never use hearing protection.
Topics: Female; Humans; Child; Tinnitus; Hyperacusis; Prevalence; Cross-Sectional Studies; Audiometry, Pure-Tone
PubMed: 37133498
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-023-07995-x -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023While gender differences of several diseases have been already described in the literature, studies in the area of hyperacusis are still scant. Despite the fact that... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
While gender differences of several diseases have been already described in the literature, studies in the area of hyperacusis are still scant. Despite the fact that hyperacusis is a condition that severely affects the patient's quality of life, it is not well investigated; a comprehensive understanding of its features, eventually including gender differences, could be a valuable asset in developing clinical intervention strategies.
AIM
To evaluate gender differences among subjects affected by hyperacusis.
METHODS
A literature search was conducted focused on adult patients presenting hyperacusis, using the MedLine bibliographic database. Relevant peer-reviewed studies, published in the last 20 years, were sought. A total of 259 papers have been identified, but only 4 met the inclusion criteria. The review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.
RESULTS
The four selected papers included data from 604 patients; of these, 282 subjects resulted as affected by hyperacusis (125 females and 157 males). Questionnaires for analyzing factors affecting the attentional, social and emotional variance of hyperacusis (such as VAS, THI, TSCH, MASH) were administered to all included subjects. The data suggest that there are no hyperacusis gender-specific differences in the assessed population samples.
CONCLUSIONS
The literature data suggest that males and females exhibit a similar level of hyperacusis. However, in light of the subjective nature of this condition, the eventual set up of further tests to assess hyperacusis features could be very helpful in the near future.
PubMed: 37895473
DOI: 10.3390/life13102092 -
European Journal of Neurology Jan 2024Data on clinical features and outcomes of benign recurrent lymphocytic meningitis (BRLM) are limited.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Data on clinical features and outcomes of benign recurrent lymphocytic meningitis (BRLM) are limited.
METHODS
This was a nationwide population-based cohort study of all adults hospitalized for BRLM associated with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) at the departments of infectious diseases in Denmark from 2015 to 2020. Patients with single-episode HSV-2 meningitis were included for comparison.
RESULTS
Forty-seven patients with BRLM (mean annual incidence 1.2/1,000,000 adults) and 118 with single-episode HSV-2 meningitis were included. The progression risk from HSV-2 meningitis to BRLM was 22% (95% confidence interval [CI] 15%-30%). The proportion of patients with the triad of headache, neck stiffness and photophobia/hyperacusis was similar between BRLM and single-episode HSV-2 meningitis (16/43 [37%] vs. 46/103 [45%]; p = 0.41), whilst the median cerebrospinal fluid leukocyte count was lower in BRLM (221 cells vs. 398 cells; p = 0.02). Unfavourable functional outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 1-4) were less frequent in BRLM at all post-discharge follow-up visits. During the study period, 10 (21%) patients with BRLM were hospitalized for an additional recurrence (annual rate 6%, 95% CI 3%-12%). The hazard ratio for an additional recurrence was 3.93 (95% CI 1.02-15.3) for patients with three or more previous episodes of meningitis.
CONCLUSIONS
Clinical features of BRLM were similar to those of single-episode HSV-2 meningitis, whilst post-discharge outcomes were more favourable. Patients with three or more previous episodes of meningitis had higher risk of an additional recurrence.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Cohort Studies; Meningitis, Viral; Aftercare; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Recurrence; Patient Discharge; Meningitis, Aseptic; Herpesvirus 2, Human; Denmark
PubMed: 37797296
DOI: 10.1111/ene.16081 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024This study aims to investigate auditory hypersensitivity and cortical function in migraine patients using the Hyperacusis Questionnaire and the Event-Related Potential...
This study aims to investigate auditory hypersensitivity and cortical function in migraine patients using the Hyperacusis Questionnaire and the Event-Related Potential (ERP) technique. The study analyzes alterations in the latency and amplitude of the event-related potentials MMN and P300 components. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the physiological relationship between migraine and auditory hypersensitivity. Seventeen migraine patients were admitted to the outpatient clinic of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Peking University People's Hospital from June 2023 to September 2023. Nineteen matched healthy subjects were also selected. All participants underwent the pure tone audiometry and the auditory brainstem response test to determine hearing thresholds, the Hyperacusis Questionnaire, the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, and an ERP examination. The Oddball classical paradigm was used as the stimulation task, and electroencephalography signals were recorded synchronously. The scores of the Hyperacusis Questionnaire, latency and amplitude of MMN and P300 component were compared between the migraine group and the control group, and their correlation was analyzed. The latency of MMN at the Fz and Cz sites in migraine patients was significantly shorter than that in the control group (P < 0.05), and the amplitudes were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The variances in latency and amplitude of P300 at Cz and Pz sites in migraine patients were not statistically significant when compared with the control group. (P > 0.05). The Hyperacusis Questionnaire was negatively correlated with MMN latency, with a correlation coefficient of - 0.374 (P = 0.025), and positively correlated with MMN amplitude, with a correlation coefficient of 0.378 (P = 0.023). There was no significant similarity between the Hyperacusis Questionnaire and P300 latency and amplitude (P > 0.05). Overall, auditory hypersensitivity was enhanced in individuals with migraines compared to healthy individuals, leading to faster information processing, while there may be less impairment in cognitive function.
Topics: Humans; Female; Migraine Disorders; Male; Hyperacusis; Adult; Surveys and Questionnaires; Middle Aged; Electroencephalography; Event-Related Potentials, P300; Evoked Potentials; Case-Control Studies; Young Adult; Audiometry, Pure-Tone
PubMed: 38898084
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65014-3 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Jul 2023The goal of this commentary is to present to audiologists the recent consensus definition of misophonia along with current clinical measures useful for audiologists in...
PURPOSE
The goal of this commentary is to present to audiologists the recent consensus definition of misophonia along with current clinical measures useful for audiologists in the diagnosis of misophonia. Up and coming behavioral methods that may be sensitive to misophonia are highlighted. Finally, a call is put out for translational audiologic research with the goal of developing diagnostic criteria for misophonia.
METHOD
The approach to the consensus definition is described, as well as the main characteristics of misophonia agreed upon by the expert panel. Next, available clinical measures that may be useful to audiologists for the diagnosis of misophonia are presented, followed by a brief review of current behavioral assessment methodology that still requires research to determine sensitivity and specificity to misophonia symptomatology. This discussion leads to the need for establishment of audiologic diagnostic criteria in misophonia, especially when differentiating from hyperacusis.
CONCLUSIONS
While the consensus definition for misophonia is an excellent first step in obtaining expert agreement on the descriptors of misophonic triggers, reactions, and behavior, clinical research is critical in developing criteria for misophonia as a specific sound tolerance disorder.
PubMed: 37429565
DOI: 10.1055/a-2125-7645 -
Hearing Research Sep 2023Hyperacusis is a debilitating auditory condition whose characterization is largely qualitative and is typically based on small participant cohorts. Here, we characterize...
Hyperacusis is a debilitating auditory condition whose characterization is largely qualitative and is typically based on small participant cohorts. Here, we characterize the hearing and demographic profiles of adults who reported hyperacusis upon audiological evaluation at a large medical center. Audiometric data from 626 adults (age 18-80 years) with documented hyperacusis were retrospectively extracted from medical records and compared to an age- and sex-matched reference group of patients from the same clinic who did not report hyperacusis. Patients with hyperacusis had lower (i.e., better) high-frequency hearing thresholds (2000-8000 Hz), but significantly larger interaural threshold asymmetries (250-8000 Hz) relative to the reference group. The probability of reporting hyperacusis was highest for normal, asymmetric, and notched audiometric configurations. Many patients reported unilateral hyperacusis symptoms, a history of noise exposure, and co-morbid tinnitus. The high prevalence of both overt and subclinical hearing asymmetries in the hyperacusis population suggests a central compensatory mechanism that is dominated by input from an intact or minimally damaged ear, and which may lead to perceptual hypersensitivity by overshooting baseline neural activity levels.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Adolescent; Young Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Hyperacusis; Retrospective Studies; Auditory Threshold; Hearing; Tinnitus
PubMed: 37487430
DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2023.108854 -
American Journal of Audiology Dec 2023Hyperacusis often leads to debilitating psychosocial consequences, but there is no standard protocol for its diagnosis and management in the United States. In this...
PURPOSE
Hyperacusis often leads to debilitating psychosocial consequences, but there is no standard protocol for its diagnosis and management in the United States. In this study, we surveyed U.S. clinical audiologists to understand their education and clinical practices surrounding the evaluation and treatment of hyperacusis.
METHOD
An online survey was distributed to clinical audiologists across the United States. Survey responses were quantified using descriptive statistics and inductive content analysis.
RESULTS
Hyperacusis definitions and clinical practice patterns varied widely across the 102 respondents. Respondents cited a lack of education and training as the primary barrier to effective audiological diagnosis and management of hyperacusis, with most respondents reporting ≤ 5 hr of hyperacusis education. Other primary barriers to effective audiological management of hyperacusis included time constraints, reimbursement, poor sensitivity and specificity of available diagnostic tools, and poor efficacy of available treatments and management strategies. Most respondents (82.5%) agreed that audiologists are the primary professionals who are responsible for implementing hyperacusis interventions. However, 63.3% of respondents reported that their clinic does not have a hyperacusis management protocol, and 80.0% routinely recommend treatment that is outside their scope of practice to implement (cognitive behavioral therapy).
CONCLUSIONS
Clinical audiologists in the United States do not receive uniform education on hyperacusis, and they report multiple barriers to its evidence-based diagnosis and management. Effective hyperacusis management necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. The information obtained via this survey will pave the way toward the refinement of interprofessional education programs and the development of systematic, evidence-based clinical protocols for hyperacusis.
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL
https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.24431188.
Topics: Humans; United States; Audiology; Hyperacusis; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Audiologists; Educational Status
PubMed: 37917915
DOI: 10.1044/2023_AJA-23-00118 -
Frontiers in Neuroanatomy 2024Auditory information is relayed from the cochlea via the eighth cranial nerve to the dorsal and ventral cochlear nuclei (DCN, VCN). The organization, neurochemistry and...
INTRODUCTION
Auditory information is relayed from the cochlea via the eighth cranial nerve to the dorsal and ventral cochlear nuclei (DCN, VCN). The organization, neurochemistry and circuitry of the cochlear nuclei (CN) have been studied in many species. It is well-established that glycine is an inhibitory transmitter in the CN of rodents and cats, with glycinergic cells in the DCN and VCN. There are, however, major differences in the laminar and cellular organization of the DCN between humans (and other primates) and rodents and cats. We therefore asked whether there might also be differences in glycinergic neurotransmission in the CN.
METHODS
We studied brainstem sections from humans, chimpanzees, and cats. We used antibodies to glycine receptors (GLYR) to identify neurons receiving glycinergic input, and antibodies to the neuronal glycine transporter (GLYT2) to immunolabel glycinergic axons and terminals. We also examined archival sections immunostained for calretinin (CR) and nonphosphorylated neurofilament protein (NPNFP) to try to locate the octopus cell area (OCA), a region in the VCN that rodents has minimal glycinergic input.
RESULTS
In humans and chimpanzees we found widespread immunolabel for glycine receptors in DCN and in the posterior (PVCN) and anterior (AVCN) divisions of the VCN. We found a parallel distribution of GLYT2-immunolabeled fibers and puncta. The data also suggest that, as in rodents, a region containing octopus cells in cats, humans and chimpanzees has little glycinergic input.
DISCUSSION
Our results show that glycine is a major transmitter in the human and chimpanzee CN, despite the species differences in DCN organization. The sources of the glycinergic input to the CN in humans and chimpanzees are not known.
PubMed: 38425805
DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2024.1331230 -
Ear and HearingMisophonia is a little-understood disorder in which certain sounds cause a strong emotional response in those who experience it. People who are affected by misophonia...
OBJECTIVES
Misophonia is a little-understood disorder in which certain sounds cause a strong emotional response in those who experience it. People who are affected by misophonia may find that noises like loud chewing, pen clicking, and/or sniffing trigger intense frustration, anger, or discomfort. The relationship of misophonia with other auditory disorders including loudness hyperacusis, tinnitus, and hearing loss is largely underexplored. This project aimed to investigate the prevalence and hearing-health comorbidities of misophonia in a college-aged population by using an online survey.
DESIGN
A total of 12,131 undergraduate and graduate students between the ages of 18 and 25 were given the opportunity to answer an in-depth online survey. These students were sampled in a roughly 50 of 50 sex distribution. The survey was created using Qualtrics and included the following components: electronic consent, demographics questionnaire, Misophonia Questionnaire (MQ), Khalfa's Hyperacusis Questionnaire (HQ), Tinnitus and Hearing Survey, and Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI). To be eligible for compensation, answers for each of the above components were required, with the exception of the TFI, which was only presented to students who indicated that they experienced tinnitus. Respondents were determined to have high or possible likelihood of having misophonia if they gave specific answers to the MQ's Emotion and Behavior Scale or the MQ Severity Scale.
RESULTS
After excluding duplicate responses and age-related outliers, 1,084 responses were included in the analysis. Just over 20% (n = 217) of the sample was determined to have a high or probable likelihood of having misophonia. The sample was primarily White, female, and of mid-to-high socioeconomic status. There was a strong positive correlation between MQ total scores and HQ total scores. High likelihood misophonia status showed a significant relationship with self-reported hearing loss and tinnitus. No statistically significant relationship was found between misophonia and age, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. MQ total scores differed significantly when separating respondents by sex, self-reported tinnitus, and loudness hyperacusis. White respondents had significantly higher MQ total scores than Asian/Asian American respondents.
CONCLUSIONS
The estimated prevalence of misophonia was about 8% to 20% of the sample, which agrees with most of the currently published research examining misophonia symptoms in collegiate populations. Results of data analysis suggest that misophonia severity may be related to loudness hyperacusis, sex, and possibly tinnitus. Future studies are needed to further examine the characteristics of these relationships, possibly in populations more optimized to reflect the general population or those with hearing-health disorders.
Topics: Humans; Female; Young Adult; Adolescent; Adult; Tinnitus; Hyperacusis; Hearing; Deafness; Hearing Disorders
PubMed: 37789522
DOI: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000001435 -
American Journal of Audiology May 2024The aim of this study was to investigate the short- and long-term effects of a new cognitive sound exposure therapy (CSET) in patients with hyperacusis.
PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to investigate the short- and long-term effects of a new cognitive sound exposure therapy (CSET) in patients with hyperacusis.
METHOD
A new therapy was developed to reduce hyperacusis using sound exposure combined with breathing and relaxation strategies from both acceptance and commitment therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Patients who were referred to the Speech and Hearing Centers located in Hengelo and Zwolle in the Netherlands and aged ≥ 18 years with hyperacusis as main complaint and no or mild hearing loss were included in this study. Patients were seen for CSET between June 2020 and August 2022. The sessions took place biweekly. Sessions ended when exposure reached a level with a maximum of 70-80 dB SPL. Short-term effects between the start and the end of therapy were based on tolerable level of sound exposure (dB SPL), subjective-level hinderance of hyperacusis, and sensitivity to sound using the Hyperacusis Questionnaire (HQ). The long-term effect was based on HQ 6 months after the end of therapy. Linear mixed-effects and regression models were applied to study outcomes over time.
RESULTS
In total, 30 patients, 15 men and 15 women, aged between 24 and 76 years were included in this study. The mean number of sessions during therapy was 6 and ranged between 4 and 8. Results showed an increase of exposure level (mean change was +23.7 dB with an of 7.9, < .001), a decrease in sensitivity to daily sounds (mean [] change was -1.6 [2.1], < .001), and a decrease in HQ (mean [] change was -9.8 [4.9], < .001), between the start and the end of therapy. There was no significant change in HQ after the end of therapy and 6 months later; mean () change was 0.2 (4.3), = .81.
CONCLUSIONS
The evaluation of CSET indicated a decrease in short- and long-term sensitivity to sound in patients with hyperacusis. Additionally, CSET has shown a positive impact, not only for the sounds used in the therapy sessions but also in transferring benefits to everyday sounds. The results of combining psychoeducation, sound exposure, and counseling are promising and warrant further evaluation.
PubMed: 38768075
DOI: 10.1044/2024_AJA-23-00210